Extensible ski stick



June 27, 1950 G. TVE'TEN EXTENSIBLE SKI STICK Filed Sept. 10, 1946Patented June 27, 195,0

UNITED l STATES PATENT OFFICE ycx'rlsrzslnr: sx1 STICK Gunnar Tveten,Alter, near Oslo, Norway Application September 10, 1946, Serial No.695,975

' 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to extensible ski poles of the type thatare -composed of 4two or more relatively displaceable andnlockablemembers. s

Such poles usually comp-rise two telescopic tubes, for instance, tubesof steel or aluminum, and the outer or upper tube forms the handle andsurrounds the tube below.

The novel features which I consider as characteristic for my inventionare set forth in particular in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as toits construction and its method of operation,together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be bestunderstood from the following description of specie embodiments whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view, partly insection,vof a portion of an extensible skipole illustrating the pole in its extreme collapsed condition;

Fig. 2 illustrates in a similar manner the ski pole when extended toabout its maximum length;

Fig. 3 shows on an enlarged scale, an axial section through the top partof the ski vpole shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a section on lines IV-IV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on lines V-V of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section showing in separate relationship thecollar provided at the top of the inner tube and after removal of thespindle emphasized in the device;

Fig. 7 is an end View of the collar; and I Fig. 8 illustrates, on asomewhat larger scale, a section through the top end of the inner tubeand collar with the spindle extending from the collar.

As appears from the drawings, the ski pole comprises a generallyhexagonal tube I, thatkis movably tted over the tube 2.` vThe latter mayextend to the bottom end of the ski pole or it may be secured to the endof a tube of still smaller diameter, which then may form the bottom partof the ski pole. The lowermost portion I of .tube I is cylindrical andclosely fits over tube 2'.

Secured in the top end of tube I by means of screws 4 is a hexagonalmetallic plug 3 having an.

axial bore, in which a spindle 'l is freely rotatable. The top end ofsaid spindle projects somewhat beyond tube I and plug 3 and is providedwith a knurled circular or polygonal knob `6, which serves as a fingerpiece for rotating the yspindle relatively to the outer tube. Suitablythe knob is at its underside provided with a recess forming bearing fora ange 3 of the plug 3. Just below the plug 3 the spindle 'I is providedwith a stop abut- Norway December 28, 1944 ment for the inner end of theplug in order to prevent axialdisplacement of the spindle.

The abutment may consist of a nut 8 screwed onto the spindle and lockedby means of a locking nut 9, or it may be connected to the spindle bywelding or the like.

Below plug 3 the spindle 'I is provided with screw threads or transverseserrations 23 which are entirely or in part cut away at two oppositesides of the spindle. For this purpose the spindle is attened slightlyso that fiat portions 1 intervene between the threaded portions.` 'Ihespindle thus attains across sectional shape as shown in Figure 8;

The rod 'I is adapted to be received in an axial opening of a collar orsleeve I0 secured in the top end of the inner tube 2. The collar may beforcetted into the wall of tube 2, or may be secured thereto inra-nyother suitable manner. A hexagonal portion Ill of the collar extendsbeyond the end of tube 2, and slidably fits into hexagonal tube I. Thustubes Land 2 are locked against l relative rotation.

The axial bore. ofv the collar or sleeve I0 and `the portion, I 0thereof areprovided with internal screw threads` ortransverse serrationsI2 which l cooperate with the external threads or serrations .l isrotated 4to a position where the screw threads of the spindle engagethescrew threads of the collar `I0, I0', the outer tubewill be locked tothe inner tube '2. If the `ski poleis to be extended or shortened, theknobk 6 'and thus also the spindle 1 is rotated about to .that angularposition where the threads of the spindle are entirely out of engagementwith the threads of the collar I0, I0. .f The screw threads. or thespindle then will be located in the spaces I I, Figure 8, of the collar.Now spindle 1 and thus also outer tube I may be displacedlongitudinallyluntil the ski pole attains the desired length, whereafterlocking is effected byturning thelspindle l, by means of knob 6, by 90,into` a positionwhere the screw threads of spindle and, collar engage. l

In order tofprevent that the spindle 'I be entirely pulled out ofvcollar I0, I0', the inner end portiony of the spindle.4 may have screwthreads 3 about its entire periphery. On assembling the pole, such endportion must then be screwed entirely through the collar. Preferably,however, the inner end of the spindle i-s provided with a suitable stopabutment, for instance in the shape of nuts I3.

In order to easily ascertain the two angular positions of the spindle inlocked and unlocked condition, a ball or the like- I5 is provided ineach of say, two opposite holes. The balls are actuated by spring I4 andare adapted to rest alt ternatively in one or the other wall of recessesI6, disposed at positions displaced 909 relatively in each other on theunderside-of. knob 6.. When the spindle is in locked or in unlockedposition,

the balls are pressed into therecesses lli.` Whenthe spi1idle-.isrotatedfrom one posi-ticntoanlother, a certain force must be exerted1 in orderto bring the balls outv ofthe recesses and the correct angular positionof the spindle may thus easily be ascertained.

When the spindle. I is rotated from locked to. unlocked position. thescrew threads" on the spindle. must be locatedl just i'n front of thecut away thread portions of collarv Ill. v In' order to ensure that thespindlev is in. such proper position, the collar Ill is providedwithzfor instance,

two radial holes I'I, in which are' seated balls I8. The balls are urgedtoward the" spindlepby' means of springs [9. The. holes are.`diam'etrically opposed andare spaced' axially by a' distance cor'-responding to one or several' thread pitches. Further, the holes havesuch angular'position's, that the balls .I8 are pressed against thethreads' of spindle 1: when the latter. is in unlocked position.

When the spindle is moved the" balls willride over the threads and thuscauseV a vibration" which is audible and tangible.. When ythe spindlejisstopped in a' certain'v position forlocking, itA is easy to feel whetherthe balls are in between. two

threads.

The collar ID, III' is providedat' its endswith shorthelical springs and2| wlii'chare`V secured in grooves 22. When the spindle'l isjmove'd toone ofv its endl positions,l one or the other spring reception ofrth'espindle and a wider bore' for receptionY of the; collar.

It will be understood' thatjeaclr of the velements described above, orYtwo or more together; may also' find a useful application in other'types' of -ski'pol'es. diiering' fromthetype described above.

While I have illustrated and described the inventon as embodied in'ski"poles' having' two telescoping. tubes, I donot intend to belimited tothe details shown', sincejvarious modifications and structuralchangesma'y be made without departing in' any way from the spirit ofmy'i'nvention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing' will so fully reveal the gistof my invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily'adapt it for. various yapplicatibicisl without omitting features that,from the. standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential'characteristics ofthe generic Y or specific aspectsv of this` inventionand; tliere# fore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. An extensible ski pole comprising in combination a plurality oftelescoping tubes; a spindle rotatably mounted in one of said tubes; acollar encircling; said spindle andlb'eing operatively connectedv toanother of" said tubes; cooperating transversal serrations provided atspaced longitudinal portions of said spindle and collar; and,intervening said serrated portions, flattened portions extending.lengthwise of said Spindle and collar whereby a relative turning of thespindle and.' the collarrwill: bring alternatively said ser-1 rationsinto engagement and said flat portions into. register and will thuseffect locking or unlocking ofsaidtubes against relative axialmovement.Y

2. extensible' skil pole comprising in combination a. pair oftelescoping tubes; a plug mounted in the-top end of the outer tube-andbeing provided with an axial bore; a spindle extending' through saidbore and rotatable therein; meansforlocki'ng-'said spindle against axialmovement relative toA said plug.; handle means disposed at the outer endof the spindle for rotatin'gt'he same; a collar encirclingsaid spindleand being operatively' connectedto the inner tube;

means for preventing relativev rotation of said tubes ;L cooperativetransversal serrations provided at spaced longitudinal-'portions ofvsaidV spindie aridcollar; and, intervening said' serrated portions,attened portions extending lengthwise of said spindleY and collar'whereby a relative turnnation a pair of't'elescoping tubes; a spindlerotatably mounted' in the outer of said tubes; a collarencirclingsaictspindle and being/connected to the top end of the'inne'r of said? tubes;means for preventing relative rotation of said tubes; cooperatingtransversal serrations provided at spaced longitudinal. portionsl ofsaidv spindle and collar; and', intervening said serrated portions,

flattened portions extending lengthwise` of said spindle. and-"collarwhereby a relative turning' of tle spindle' and the collar.' will bringalternatively said Vserrations?into engagement and said flatportion'ssi'nto regfifster'and will thuseffect locking or unlocking ofsaid* tubes-f against relative axial movement; Y. f' 1 1 5. An;extensible ski. pole comprising in combination; a generally? polygonal.outer'rod.; an inner rod; a spindle rotatably mounted inl vsaid outerrod.; apolygonal` collar encirclingsaid spindle andI being.v slidablyfitted. in said outer .rodl and bei-ng. connected. to said inner rod;cooperating transversal serrations provided at spaced longitudinalportions of. said spindle and collar.; and, intervening said serratedAportions, flattened portions extend'ing lengthwise. of said spindle andcollar whereby a relative turning of the spindle andthe collar willbring alternatively said serrations into engagement andsaid lia-tportions into register and will thus eiect locking or unlocking of saidrods against relative axial movement.

6. An extensible ski pole comprising in combination a plurality oftelescoping tubes; a spindle rotatably mounted in one of said tubes; acollar encircling said spindle and being operatively connected toanother of said tubes; end abutments provided on said spindle forlimiting axial movement of the same with relation to said collar;resilient means disposed at the ends of said collar for coaction withsaid abutments in the two axial end positions of said spindle;cooperating transversal serrations provided at spaced longitudinalportions of said spindle and collar; and, intervening said serratedportions, flattened portions extending lengthwise of said spindle andcollar whereby a relative turning oi the spindle and the collar willbring alternatively said serrations into engagement and said flatportions into register and will thus effect locking or unlocking of saidtubes against relative axial movement.

7. A n extensible Ski pole comprising in combination a pair oftelescoping tubes; a plug mounted in the top end of the outer tube andbeing provided with an axial bore; a spindle extending through said boreand rotatable therein; means for locking said spindle against axialmovement relative to said plug; handle means disposed at the outer endof the spindle for rotating the i same; a collar encircling said spindleand being operatively connected to the inner tube; means for preventingrelative rotation of Said tubes; a handle piece, the said handle pieceresting with its underside on said plug; a plurality of spaced recessesand spring actuated elements provided on said plug and said handle piecefor releasably holding said handle piece and spindle in selected angularpositions; cooperative transversal serrations provided at spacedlongitudinal portions of said spindle and collar; and, intervening saidserrated portions, fl'attened portions extending lengthwise of saidspindle and collar whereby a relative turning of the spindle and thecollar will bring alternatively said serrations into engagement and saidflat portions into register and will thus effect locking or unlocking ofsaid tubes against relative axial movement.

8. An extensible ski pole comprising in combination a plurality oftelescoping tubes; a spindle rotatably mounted in one of said tubes; acollar encircling said spindle and being operatively connected toanother of said tubes; cooperating transversal,serrations provided atspaced longitudinal portions of said spindle and collar; a plurality ofaxial bores provided in said collar; a plurality of spring actuatedelements disposed in said bores for yieldingly bearing against theserrated portions of said spindle; and, intervening said serratedportions, flattened portions extending lengthwise of said spindle andcollar whereby a relative turning of the spindle and the collar willbring alternatively said serrations into engagement and said flatportions into registe: and will thus eiect locking or unlocking of saidtubes against relative axial movement.

9. An extensible siii pole comprising in combination a plurality oftelescoping tubes; a spindle rotatably mounted in one of said tubes; acollar encircling said spindle and being operatively connected toanother of said tubes; end abutments provided on said spindle forlimiting axial movement of the same with relation to said collar;resilient means disposed at the ends of said collar for coaction withsaid abutments in the two axial end positions of said spindle;cooperating transversal serrations provided at spaced longitudinalportions of said spindle and collar; and, intervening said serratedportions, flattened portions extending lengthwise of said spindle andcollar whereby a relative turning of the spindle and the collar willbring alternatively said serrations into engagement and said flatportions into register and will thus effect locking or unlocking of saidtubes against relative axial movement.

GUNNAR TVETEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,665,811 Hadden Apr. 10, 19282,275,330 Tveten Mar. 3, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date141,300 Austria Apr. 10, 1935

